Ink and Iron: New tattoo shop opens on Adams Street.

When he was young, Mike Klein would go door to door to sell his drawings of Donald Duck. Now he has his own studio, Ink and Iron Tattoo Parlour, and since its opening Sept. 6 he’s inked almost 50 people.

Klein and friend Shane Gontarz opened the “boutique-style tattoo shop” together with the vision of changing the face of Toledo’s tattoo scene.

“I think the biggest thing is the Toledo tattoo scene has been kind of ruled by one shop,” Klein said. “I want them to still be successful [but] overall I just want to bring a new flavor to the tattoo scene.”

Klein concentrates on the art. He wants to help potential customers make educated decisions when it comes to a tattoo. Klein and Gontarz both said it’s important to sit and talk with customers during appointments.

“Being able to have an open floor space and have our customers feel engaged in every step of the artistic process ensures they are getting a piece and an experience that they will cherish and enjoy for a lifetime,” Gontarz said in an email.

Gontarz is currently attending The Ohio State University and will move to Toledo in December. Gontarz handles the business for the shop while Klein does the art.

“I cannot wait to be in Toledo full time and become immersed in the culture,” Gontarz said. “I can say without any hesitation that I have not experienced a city in Ohio that truly has more pride than Toledo, Ohio. And this is coming from a Cleveland boy so that means a lot.”

Klein wants every customer to be 100 percent satisfied unlike he was when he got his first tattoo. At the age of 17, he got a cross between his shoulder blades that he said is crooked.

“It’s something that’s on your body forever for it to just be an ‘eh’ experience [isn’t good enough],” he said.

Klein is also concentrating on the longevity of his clients’ tattoos.

“I guarantee my tattoos. If your tattoo doesn’t look 100 percent like you want it and you come back, I will fix it up for free,” Klein said. “It’s my name attached to your tattoo as well as yours.”

The name of the shop was inspired by Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

“I always thought that was such a cool thing,” Klein said. “The integration of society is really the iron. The more people that come through the door and really feel the philosophy, the better we’ll get.”

Klein, originally from Maumee, looks forward to growing in the local community. The shop is currently collaborating with other local businesses.

On Oct. 24, Klein will do zombie makeovers for the Adams Street Zombie Pub Crawl.

Also in collaboration with that event, for the month of October the studio will be doing official zombie tattoos for $30. These tattoos are good for drink specials during the Zombie Pub Crawl. Klein hopes for a long-lasting partnership between the shop and the event.

The studio also works with the Glass City Rollers roller derby team and starting in November, local musicians will play at the shop.

“Everybody down here has been really receptive about the shop opening,” Klein said. “A lot of that comes from being from Maumee. I’m not some guy that moved here from out of town trying to make a quick buck. This is my roots and I’m really branching out from that point.”

Ink and Iron Tattoo Parlour is located at 1505 Adams St. For more information, visit inkandirontattoo.com.

101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio

The opportunity to compile this year’s “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio” special issue made it evident to me that the Lake Erie region has a whole lot more to offer than many of its own residents realize.

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As a disclaimer, this list does not attempt to provide an exhaustive account of every activity in the region, or even most activities. It could easily be doubled or tripled, and serious points of interest would still be omitted. For a sample of the region’s bustle, just look at July. In addition to all of its ongoing activities, some upcoming events include several live music concerts, an African-American festival, the Glass City Rollers’ first away bout and the Toast of Ohio Wine Festival at the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky.

I chose this particular 101 with the intention of accurately capturing a snapshot of local life. The list does attempt to give voice to a diverse litany of interests so that thrill-seekers and nature-lovers alike will discover some new prospect worth trying. It has no particular order or ranking system and groups each of the 101 ways in a category for ease of reading.

Before you naysay it, read it. I am amazed at the flurry of fun going on around us: networking events like Instameet and EPIC Toledo Lunch n Leads, drive-in movies, frequent festivals and fairs, a whole host of historical sites and physical fitness studios … at least 101 ways to make you wish you were here.

What’s missing from “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio”? What should be included next year? Post your suggestions on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/toledofreepress) or email us at letters@toledofreepress.com.

The Toledo Ballet will host its 74th annual production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” the longest-running performance of the holiday favorite in the nation. Dec. 13-14. At the Stranahan Theater.

2. Levis Commons Fine Art Fair

Spend the weekend with thousands of other local tourists in Perrysburg at the 10th annual open-air art fair. Aug. 16-17. Browse handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, painting, glass photography, fiber and more at The Town Center at Levis Commons. Free admission and parking. At 3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg.

Toledo is brimming with opportunities to attend a theater production, including an upcoming rendition of “The Pirates of Penzance” at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre (Sept. 12-21). In addition, there are ongoing performances at the Stranahan Theater, The Village Players Theatre and Valentine Theatre, not to mention regional and collegiate performances.

This regional orchestra has been active for more than seven decades and employs nearly 80 professional musicians. This season, the symphony has three main series: Mozart & More, Classics and Pop. Its next free “Music Under the Stars” concert is July 27. At the Toledo Zoo.

Regardless of the depth of your artistic prowess, let a local professional lead your group through a painting lesson. All supplies provided. $35 per person or $65 for two. Furthermore, Uncork the Artist invites you to attend the free grand opening of its new venue in Perrysburg, a night of food and independent art projects during the first week of August. Also, You Can Be An Artist in Maumee.

The photography center celebrates nature through its themed photo exhibits and shows, annual contests, classes and programs. Its state-of-the-art gallery, closed for renovations, will reopen in September with additional exhibits and space. Free admission. Open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday after renovations are complete. At Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey.

Hosted by The Arts Commission, this grand-scale multimedia event offers space for visual, performing and literary artists to showcase their talents. Its last showing attracted 10,000+ guests who marveled at the imaginative creations of 500+ local artists. Mark your calendars: Artomatic 419! will return spring 2015.

The Glass City wouldn’t be complete without the Toledo Museum of Art’s hands-on, hour-long art classes that illustrate how to make various glass projects. Sample activities include hot sculpting (for TMA members) and flameworking (open to public), both typically offered on Thursday evenings.

The Art Supply Depo sponsors “Drink and Draw,” a $10 life drawing session ($7 with a friend!). The shop provides a model and music while 18-and-older participants bring their own drinks and art supplies. Fourth Tuesday of every month. 7-10 p.m. At 29 S. St. Clair St. The next date is July 22.

No Toledo to-do list would be complete without this internationally renowned museum. In addition to free admission to most exhibitions, TMA offers glass blowing demonstrations, docent-guided tours and a Masters Series featuring famous artists, scholars and musicians (the next one is with Brett Leonard at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25). Prepare to spend a day lost in its halls. At 2445 Monroe St.

Local residents will join University of Toledo students to celebrate the freedom to read without censorship at the annual Banned Books Week Vigil on Sept. 25.

15. Toledo Pride

The fifth annual LGBTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied) weekend-long event at Promenade Park (Aug. 22-24) will feature live entertainment, a Downtown parade, dozens of vendor booths and Sunday Funday. Kick off the weekend with the Nite Glo 5K at the University of Toledo.

Northwest Ohio’s annual “premier fine arts festival” highlights the imagination of more than 200 artists from across the country. The event takes place at Toledo Botanical Garden. Final full weekend of June.

Fifth Third Field will become a full-fledged winter wonderland for 10 days (Dec. 26 to Jan. 4) during Toledo Walleye Winterfest, a grand-scale sports event sponsored by ProMedica. Local fans will witness the Walleye hockey team battle the Kalamazoo Wings (Dec. 27) and the Fort Wayne Komets (Jan. 3) in a true outdoor hockey arena.

First held in 1903, the National Matches have become a shooting sports festival with more than 6,000 annual participants whose skill levels vary from beginner to best in the world. Some matches include expert instruction and dozens of vendors set up shop on commercial row all month. Free to spectators, July 6-Aug. 15. At Camp Perry, Port Clinton.

Adults 21 and older are invited to an outdoor concert at Centennial Terrace for a full night of live music, appetizing food and craft beer. This festival (Aug. 8) has become a networking opportunity for nearby craft beer enthusiasts. $25 pre-sell tickets include 20 samples, a souvenir cup and admission. $10 admission at the gate. At 5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania.

Fort Meigs will sport a “spirited stroll” this fall. Oct. 17-18, 24-25. A War of 1812 tour guide will escort guests through the spookier side of this historic landmark. The fort also features costumed historical interpreters (May through October), military history roundtables (the next one is Sept. 18) and a museum full of wartime artifacts. $4-8, children 5 and younger are free. At 29100 W. River

The Dan Zola Orchestra will perform at Liberty Aviation Museum’s upcoming Big Band Hangar Dance on Aug 23. Swing dancing and an entourage in vintage dress (think military and zoot suits) will characterize the evening. During the rest of the year, visitors may meander through the museum’s collection of aircraft, vehicles and other historical artifacts, including a refurbished flyable B-25. $5 donation. 3515 East State Road, Port Clinton.

Enter through one of the six sets of original White House gates to see the home, library, museum, tomb and 25-acre estate of the 19th U.S. president. The center’s latest exhibit showcases exclusive archaeological information from the U.S. Civil War prison site of captured Confederate officers. $3-$7.50. Running now through early-January. In addition, GroveFest – an annual fundraising event complete with kids’ activities, music, a popular auction and piles of food – will be on July 26. At Spiegel Grove, Fremont.

Visit with one of the artisan carvers who restores carousel animals while listening to the “oom pa pa” of a nearby band organ. $4-6 admission, children 4 and younger are free. One of its upcoming events, Toast of Ohio Wine Festival ($5. Noon-8 p.m. July 26), will offer guests wine tasting, an art show and gourmet food. At 301 Jackson St., Sandusky.

This colonial home has become a celebrated fixture at Wildwood Preserve Metropark. It annually hosts a Tea in the Solarium event, late spring to early summer. Open for free tours April through Oct. 31, Tuesday through Sunday. Noon to 5 p.m. At 5100 W. Central Ave.

What began as a family hobby has developed into a start-up operation centered around Ohio’s largest multi-gauge model public railroad display. Model train enthusiasts, prepare to drool. $6-8, children 3 and younger are free. At 6732 E. Harbor Road, Marblehead.

Providence Metropark’s Canal Experience immerses visitors in a 19th-century lifestyle, complete with mule-drawn canal boats, a working water-powered saw, one of the last functioning limestone locks and costumed characters along the Miami and Erie Canal. $4-6, ages 2 and younger are free. May through October.

Home to 2,300 lithophanes, the largest collection of its kind in the world. Lithophanes, etchings engraved in translucent porcelain, can only be properly viewed when lit from behind. Spotlighting “Revelations and Withholdings” through Oct. 26. Free and open Saturday-Sunday May through October. Year-round special group tours available at $5 a person. At Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Drive.

Drive-thru passengers feed a diverse range of creatures, including alpacas, bongos and camels. The Walk-Thru Safari option feels more akin to a traditional zoo setting, complete with popular pig races and a new white alligator exhibit. The African Safari Wildlife Park is open for the season through Nov. 30. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. $13.95-21.95, children 3 and younger are free. At Port Clinton.

A 100-passenger cruise vessel, affectionately named The Sandpiper, gives one-to-four hour educational boat tours on the Maumee River. Topics of interest range from eagles to Veterans’ Glass City Skyway bridge to Big Lucas. May through October. $5-11. At the foot of Jefferson Avenue in Promenade Park.

The Ritter Planetarium at the University of Toledo sports the first Spitz SciDome XD projection system in the world, offering visitors a glimpse of the heavens – literally. Its summer program, “Summer Skies Over Toledo,” impresses visitors with an entrancing live-guided tour of the Toledo night sky. Fridays through Aug. 29. 8:30 p.m. $5-7, children 4 and younger are free.

Toledo’s Frogtown Races, one of the most prestigious fall regattas in the Midwest, will take place Sept. 27. High school, college and adult rowers from the U.S. and Canada will compete in a 3-mile course on the Maumee River. At International Park, Main Street.

There’s something strangely satisfying about diving for a loose ball in the summertime — and even more so when it’s at the beach. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, or simply have mad volleyball skills, sign up for the Battle of Put-in-Bay 2014 volleyball tournament (Aug. 15-16). To make matters more entertaining, the sports event is also a costume contest ­— dress to impress! $200 per team. At the Sand Bar, Put-in-Bay.

More than 1,000 free-flying butterflies from around the world flutter about this wheelchair-accessible glass house conservatory. Photography welcome. Open May through October. $7-9, children 3 and younger are free. 11455 Obee Road, Whitehouse.

The 47-acre R.A. Stranahan Arboretum highlights local urban landscape ecology and an aromatic collection of rare and local trees, shrubs and grasses. Year-round free admission, open Monday through Thursday. At 4131 Tantara Road.

More than 60,000 people from 46 states and 13 countries flocked to this year’s Biggest Week in American Birding” for bird watching and photography. Next spring’s 10-day event (May 8-17) will feature half-day bus tours, speakers, workshops, displays and daily walks at venues including the world famous Magee Marsh boardwalk. Organizers say Northwest Ohio in May is the best place anywhere in North America to observe the spring migration of songbirds.

The University/Parks Trail is a popular trail open to cyclists, walkers, joggers and skater alike. Stretching from University of Toledo’s campus to King Road in Sylvania Township, this six-mile stretch is perfect for outdoor fitness fans ­— and it’s free.

Ottawa Park, home to the Greater Toledo Inline Hockey League, boasts the only open-air ice rink in Northwest Ohio. The park also has a 500-ton stone amphitheater and the only disc golf course in Toledo.

Toledo’s Jermain Park is the first designated free-to-the-public mountain bike park – and the only mountain bike park in Northwest Ohio. Its more than six-mile course is the perfect venue for events like the Toledo Free Ride. The bike skills area contains dirt jumps, a pump track and a separate area for progressive stunts and skills.

Toledo GROWs, Toledo Botanical Garden’s outreach program, is a grassroots organization that tends to more than 165 community gardens. Find a garden near you by emailing info@toledo garden.org. Its market stand supplies fresh vegetables and herbs (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays). Tours are available April through October (1-2 p.m. Wednesdays). At 900 Oneida St.

Budding paleontologists can dig all day for world-renowned fossils in the five-acre rock quarry at Fossil Park. No tools are permitted, but bring a toothbrush and water to clean off your fossils, and something to carry those little Devonian Era relics home in. Free admission and parking to the fossil pit (April through mid-November) and the park itself (open year-round, except during the Sylvania fireworks display). At 5675 Centennial Road, Sylvania.

Take the time to venture out to Lake Erie and watch the sun set over the water. There’s a reason that dozens of vacation houses and bed & breakfasts have settled on the shoreline.

48. Great Lakes Popcorn Company

Interested in sweetening (or spicing up) your weekend movie date? The Great Lakes Popcorn Company has your local grocery store’s pack of Orville Redenbacher’s beat. If for nothing else, swing by the Walleye Capital of the World to try one of the local company’s more than 30 flavors of popcorn: bubble gum, wild walleye, margarita. 115 Madison St., Port Clinton.

The South Bend Chocolate Company’s museum explains the growing process, history and production of chocolate from a culinary perspective. Ohio’s first chocolate museum consists of a film about chocolate, exhibits and a photo-opportunity with cardboard cut-out Lucy from “Lucy at the Chocolate Factory.” Open daily mid-May through mid-September, weekends through mid-October. At 820 Catawba St., Put-in-Bay.

These new three-hour food tasting and cultural walking tours afford partakers the opportunity to eat at six or more venues, explore the Warehouse District with an insider view of its history and architecture and gain a new perspective on Toledo’s culture and culinary scene. $42 for adults, $30 for children. Tours held rain or shine, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through September.

Local residents and out-of-towners alike can’t fully appreciate The Glass City without knocking back a couple of glasses over chow time at one of its widely known culinary hubs. Suggestions include hot dogs from Tony Packo’s, steak from Mancy’s, everything bagel from Barry Bagels, ice cream from Mr. Freeze, chili dogs from Rudy’s and garbage salad from Grumpy’s.

53. Farmers Markets

Wander around one of Northwest Ohio’s open-air marketplaces for an assortment of homegrown and handmade finds. Local markets include Downtown at Erie Street Market (8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays May through November, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays December through April), Perrysburg (3-8 p.m. Thursdays May through early October), Westgate (3-7 p.m. Wednesdays May through October) and Bowling Green (4-7 p.m. Wednesdays May through mid-October).

54. Apple picking and cider making

MacQueen Orchards grows more than 16 varieties of apples and 10 varieties of peaches, and invites you to pick your own fruit from mid-September to the third week of October. In addition, its annual Apple Stir & Crafts Festival set for the first weekend of October will have an apple pie contest, huge play area for children, horse-drawn wagon rides and delicious food. At 7605 Garden Road, Holland.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is taking “The Greatest Show on Earth” to a new level this fall (Oct. 30-Nov. 2) with its new circus show. Legendary circus icons from 25 countries will come together as one cast for “LEGENDS,” a spectacular mythological production that boasts Asian elephants, a 20-acrobat troupe balanced atop a pair of bicycles and a high-flying trapeze act. At the Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave.

The popular science center offers more than 250 interactive exhibits, including NASA’s “Science On a Sphere” through Sept. 7, a Science2Go! gift shop and several education programs. $8-10, children 2 and younger are free. At 1 Discovery Way, Toledo.

More than 1,000 independently owned record stores celebrate their unique culture during Record Store Day, an international event on the third Saturday of every April (next year’s date is April 18). Local record stores include Culture Clash (4020 Secor Road), RamaLama Records (3151 W. Central Ave.), AA Records Are Us (3010 Lagrange St.) and more!

58. Leadership Toledo

Leadership Toledo inspires people to become active participants in their communities with a nine-month $2,500 training program for adults and a program for teens. Its annual Restaurant Week Toledo will be March 2-9.

Trapped Toledo has created an interactive adventure that locks a group of people in a small room and dares them to try and escape. Wednesdays through Sundays, ages 15 years and older, $18.50-25. At 4400 Heatherdowns Blvd.

As if it didn’t already house the whole animal kingdom, this regional favorite boasts two new exhibits: Penguin Beach and Flamingo Key. The zoo also offers a slew of popular behind-the-scenes tours so visitors can get up close with wild animals: rhinos, giraffes, polar bears … your choice.

What was once a savvy social media movement has emerged as a city-sweeping day of love where community members lend support to each other and local businesses on April 19. Snap some photos in the city, pay it forward to a stranger and remember: “You will do better in Toledo.”

62. Glass City Rollers

Metro Toledo’s flat track roller derby league will kick off its traveling season July 26, with an additional away bout Sept. 13. Scheduled home bouts include Aug. 16, Oct. 4 and Nov. 1. At 525 Earlwood Ave. Oregon

Mosey over to Fifth Third Field to cheer on your hometown Hens as they outrun other minor league baseball teams. Even better, your $10 admission fee to home games on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will also snag you a front-row seat to a spectacular Downtown fireworks show.

If you didn’t grow up in the Lake Erie region, take a tour of the local universities to sense the vibe of Northwest Ohio’s younger generation. The campuses at University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University and Lourdes University offer events throughout the year that are open to the public. Stop by the front office for information.

Girl Develop It aims to make affordable programs accessible to all local women who share a desire to learn about software and digital development. The international nonprofit organization offers free courses that focus on coding, leveraging existing technology and building websites. Upcoming classes will be Introduction to Responsive Design ($20, 6:30-10 p.m. July 28) and Introduction to Javascript ($50, 6-10 p.m. July 21 and 23).

The Northwest Ohio Writers Forum meets on the third Saturday of each month (except July, August and December) to discuss everything from freelance writing to copyright law. The group also enjoys listening to presentations by guest speakers. Membership costs $25 a year, $15 for students. At various branches of the Toledo Lucas-County Public Library.

For the month of August, Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial will screen free films on Saturday nights. Check its website to see which films will be playing. Movies begin at dark. Bring a blanket! At 93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay.

Individuals volunteer themselves to host this local luncheon series. Each attendee purchases his or her own lunch and eats while the host gives a 15-to-20-minute business presentation. Professional networking consumes the remainder of the hour. Meets noon to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

A Toledo-based grassroots organization called So Now creates an alliance of like-minded professional women who network and help each other achieve goals. The next So Now dinner is at 6:16 p.m. July 23. $20, includes buffet dinner and open networking.

Event organizers describe this regional show as an “extravaganza of antique, classic and historical watercraft through the ages.” Set for Aug. 24-25, the eighth annual show invites all boating enthusiasts to enjoy a day with live entertainment, local vendors and artisans and displayed boats ranging from the 1920s era through modern-day replicas. At The National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St.

Celebrate Batman’s 75th birthday with the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library! Free events include a movie marathon (July 21-25 at McMaster Center at Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St.) and a crafts and puzzles celebration (9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 21 at Main Library, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26 at Main Library and Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St.). Local comic book writer and historian Jim Beard and the Bat-Thespians will also present 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 26. At Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave.

Instameets are popular global events where IGers network and share photography. Touch base with Toledo’s vast Instagram networks (@IGers_Toledo, @owe_grammers) for the next Instameet time and location.

77. Live comedy shows

Need to unwind with a good laugh? Catch a live comedian at Funny Bone Comedy Club. Or, if you’re a starving comic in search of a gig, impress with your best show during Toledo Open Mic Night. At 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg, in Fat Fish Blue. Laffs Inc., 3922 Secor Road, also brings the laughs, including an open mic night on Wednesdays.

Book clubs are offered at numerous Toledo-Lucas County Public Library branch locations (Birmingham, Heatherdowns, Oregon, Point Place, Sanger, Sylvania, Washington and Waterville) as well as Way Public Library in Perrysburg.

79. Drive-in movie

Both Field of Dreams Drive-In Theater in Liberty Center ($4-7, children 4 and younger are free) and Sundance Kid Drive-In in Oregon ($4-9, children 5 and younger are free) offer popular movies in an outdoor atmosphere.

A scattered group of kite fliers called the Black Swamp Air Force meets informally from 1-3 p.m. on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month — some die-hard fliers even participate in “ice flying” during winter’s subzero temperatures. The BSAF also schedules sundry kite-building educational workshops for kids and adults. At Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon.

82. Digitized treasure hunting

Grab a group of friends and go for an outdoor treasure hunt with a GPS-enabled device. More than 6 million geocachers participate in this worldwide modern-age version of hide-and-seek by navigating coordinates in search of hidden treasure.

Bypass rush-hour traffic by opting to fly thousands of feet in the sky with a certified pilot to coach you along the way. Glass City Flight, a flight training school at Toledo Express Airport, offers a $100 introductory flight to give newbies a sample of small aircraft flight excitement. At 11341 W. Airport Service Road, Swanton. Crow Executive Air at Toledo Executive Airport also offers flying lessons. At 28331 Lemoyne Road, Millbury.

Activities at Findlay’s 2014 Flag City BalloonFest (Aug. 8-9) will include paid helicopter rides, a children’s fair, food vendors, a car show and — you guessed it — hot-air balloon flights. The festival will be held at 322 S. Main St. in Findlay. The balloon flights cost $225 per person, 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9. Emory Adams Park, Findlay. Proceeds go to Findlay Service League, Special Olympics of Hancock Co., United Way and Voices For Children.

This regionally-operated hub has paid for more than 1,800 veterans to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. The upcoming Sept. 24 flight at the Grand Aire Hangar will be the final flight, largely because the organization accomplished its goal to send any World War II veteran to D.C. who expressed a desire to go. Visitors to this patriotic event will send-off veterans from 7-9 a.m. and welcome them home between 8-9:30 p.m. Don’t be surprised if you shed a tear when the band’s playing, flag are waving and a whole troupe of wide-eyed veterans walks down the runway toward a cheering crowd. At 11777 W. Airport Service Road, Swanton.

Hairstylist Lavonne Kujawa gives a free haircut, one of Tent City’s most popular services (Photo by Dawn Hall)

88. Become a Chick

Chicks for Charity is a grassroots movement that lets local women of all ages donate however much money they want to the organization’s charity of choice (the 2013-14 recipient is Shared Lives Studio). Chicks do what they’re already doing – everything from informal card games to dinner parties to lemonade stands — to raise funds for an under-the-radar local charity. Becoming a Chick is easy; there’s no age requirements, fundraising quotas or monthly meetings. Some upcoming events include the annual golf scramble at Chippewa Golf Course in Curtice (9 a.m. Aug.16, $70 per player and $280 per team) and $5 Coffee Fridays noon to 2 p.m. at Shared Lives Studio. 20 N. St. Clair St.

Get in your weekly workout at the International Boxing Club with this challenging routine. A method that combines aerobic and anaerobic training, boxercise proceeds help fundraise for IBC’s outreach to Toledo’s at-risk youth. $5 a class, Monday through Thursday. At 525 Earlwood Ave., Oregon.

Local non profit 1Matters invites the community to volunteer at its annual homelessness awareness event Oct. 24-26. At Civic Center Mall. Volunteers will help Toledo’s unhoused population connect with free medical screenings and dental care, haircuts, meals, showers, flu shots, IDs and more. Want to help plan this year’s event? Meetings are every third Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. at Red Cross HQ, 3100 W. Central Ave.

This is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual fundraising campaign to raise money to find cures for blood cancer. Raise $100 or more and you will receive a commemorative T-shirt, wristband for refreshments at the events and a lantern. Set to start from the SeaGate Centre 5-10 p.m. Oct. 5.

The 11th Annual International Human Trafficking, Prostitution and Sex Work Conference is set for Sept. 18-19. Speakers, researchers and survivors will discuss the needs of the various individuals involved in human trafficking. At the University of Toledo. In addition, the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition meets on the third Wednesday of every month. 9:15-11:15 a.m. Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd.

Cedar Point’s seemingly endless supply of rides, shows, food options and other attractions just became a little more wild. The “Best Amusement Park in the World” just added Pipe Scream, which twists passengers through 302 feet of track at 43 mph, and a new classic thrill ride called Lake Erie Eagles.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this 140th annual fair, set for July 28-Aug. 4. In addition to its quintessential food, exhibits, rides and prizes, must-see events at this year’s bash include a parade, demolition derby, national horse-pulls, and a new Monster Truck Throwdown. $6 a person, $24 week-long passes, children 9 and younger are free. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. At the Wood County Fairgrounds, Bowling Green.

Tourists longing for an up-close experience of rural Northwest Ohio history can travel through Ohio’s largest living history village with costumed guides and working craftsmen. Upcoming events include basket-making workshops (Sept. 17-18), a free evening lecture on the American Civil War (Oct. 6) and the 28th Annual Woodcarver’s Show & Sale in Founder’s Hall (Oct. 25-26). Open April through October. At 22611 State Route 2, Archbold.

The Glacial Grooves State Memorial on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie is an internationally renowned example of glacial grooves. The prehistoric trough, 400 feet long by 35 feet wide, extends over the island’s malleable limestone. And it’s only a ferry ride away.

Lake Erie provides ample opportunities to explore shipwrecks, which are naturally preserved by its noncorrosive freshwater. Local scuba divers, professional wreck dive guides and maritime history buffs await your visit. Become an eco-tourist of Ohio’s underwater history, just for the day – and email TFP if you find any treasure.

Put-in-Bay’s Crystal Cave, below local favorite Heineman Winery, houses the world’s largest geode. A geode is a small, hollowed rock lined with crystals and minerals. This cave’s crystals range from 8 to 18 inches long and its walls are lined with a blue-colored mineral called celestite. $3-7, early May through late September. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. At 978 Catawba St., Put-in-Bay.

Explore one of the area’s largest underground caverns. Depending on water level, walking tour guides will take visitors through seven rooms or levels. At 110 feet below the surface, the lowest level showcases the popular “Ole Mist’ry River,” a flowing underground stream. $8-15, children 5 and younger are free. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day through Sept. 1 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Sept. 2 through Oct. 12. At 15248 E. Township Road 178, Bellevue.

About 60,000 people crowd into the Wood County Fairgrounds for this annual event, one of the largest of its kind in the nation. Aug. 15-17. $20-44 for a single-session pass, three-day passes start at $100, children 10 and younger are free. At 13800 W. Poe Road, Bowling Green.

What’s missing from “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio”? What should be included next year? Post your suggestions on our Facebook page (facebook.com/toledofree press) or email us at letters@toledo freepress.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Toledo-area activity guide

The Blarney Irish Pub is the spot to be for the most happening St. Patrick’s Day party in town, pub employees say.

“We have the best food, the best music and the best location. We have the biggest party. We have the most fun,” said bartender Beth Golday.

The two-day Blarney Madness party expands on the restaurant’s usual pub space and adjacent BullPen to include a large tent on Huron Street.

The fun starts at 6 p.m. March 16 and runs until 2 a.m. March 18. The pop-rock band The Bridges headlines at 8 p.m. March 16. Dragon Wagon plays at 1 p.m. March 17, followed by Bangers & Thrash at 6 p.m. and Skoobie Snaks at 8:30 p.m. DJ Kyle Rickner will play between sets both days.

Bonnie Cosey and Fred Belintkos with Lauren at The Blarney.

The weekend includes other highlights like an ice luge for shots, bagpipers at 7 a.m. March 17 and firefighters in kilts.

The party benefits Toledo and Sylvania local firefighters charities. The Blarney frequently works with firefighters, Golday said.

“They’re always helping others and risking their lives for other people,” she said.

A portion of the proceeds also benefits the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish-American Catholic organization.

A $15 shirt will be on sale at The Blarney. By wearing the shirt, customers can get free entry March 17 and 10 percent off their bills during March.

A Jiggs Dinner with corned beef, potatoes, carrots and celery will be on sale for $9 in the BullPen in addition to a corned beef sandwich and chips for $7, bangers and chips for $6 and a half pound of Blarney Stones (chicken chunks) for $6.

A breakfast of eggs, Irish bacon, potato pancakes and soda bread is available in the pub starting at 7 a.m. March 17 for $7. And, of course, several Irish beers will be available, including Guinness, Killian’s and Great Lakes Conway’s Irish Ale.

Entry is $5. The Blarney is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. March 16 and from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. March 17. The tent is open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. March 16 and noon to 1 a.m. March 17.

The Blarney is located at 601 Monroe St., Downtown Toledo. Toledo Free Press is a media sponsor of this event. Visit theblarneyirishpub.com for more information.

Each week for nine weeks, 10 local singers or bands will perform at the Irish eatery at Westfield Franklin Park, 5001 Monroe St., before three judges. On the 10th week — May 31 — the nine winners will compete in a final round to determine the winner of the $5,000 grand prize.

Judges will include Claddagh general manager JaNeil Mesteller and Chris Hunt, who regularly MCs Claddagh pub trivia contests and other events. The third judge will rotate weekly among local celebrities.

“Audience involvement is part of the judging, so the more people you bring with you to root you on, the better your chances to get through,” Mesteller said.

Entry is free and first come, first serve. Entrants can be solo singers or bands of up to three people. Participants must be 21 or older and must provide a photo ID, fill out an entry form and sign a copy of the rules to be eligible. Performances must be in good taste, and music must be submitted for approval before competing. The first week is full, Mesteller said.

“We want this to be a fun, true festival, where people are enjoying themselves,” Mesteller said. “We’ve never done anything like this with such a big purse at the end. It’s a pretty significant amount and it could really help out a person with recording or equipment. Toledo in general has so much talent it’s ridiculous. For such a small town, we really have a great market to pull from. It’s nice to have local people get a piece of the pie.”

For more information or to sign up to participate, call Claddagh at (419) 472-1414.

— Sarah Ottney

Companies offer safe rides home

Remember to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day. Area driving and cab services are available to make sure it’s easy for you and your friends to get home after going out to celebrate.

Granger’s Automotive, 329 1st St., in Toledo will take you and your vehicle home for $20 on March 16 and March 17 before 3:30 a.m. Call (419) 691-2962 for more information.

Locally owned Black & White Transportation offers a free application that can calculate your blood alcohol content and book you a cab ride home 24 hours a day. The app, B4UDRIVE, is exclusive to iPhone, BlackBerry and Droid, but the company’s mobile online reservation system is accessible by any Web-enabled phone.

You can also text the word “RIDE” to (419) 322-6772 or call the company at (419) 536-TAXI (8294). Cabs are first come, first serve, so there may be a wait. Rates are $2 to get in and $2.30 per mile.

If you know you will need a ride for St. Patrick’s Day, you can also book a sedan. The car service costs $60 per hour for a minimum of five hours.

Another company, BeMyDD, offers a professionally dressed designated driver at an hourly rate. The driver will act as a personal chaufer, driving you and your friends where you want to go and then driving you home. The personal driver service costs $12.50 per hour in the Toledo area, according to BeMyDD’s website.

You can also call after you are already out and BeMyDD will send two drivers to drive you and your vehicle home. In the Toledo area, pickup service costs $25 plus mileage, which is $2.95 per mile for the first 10 miles and $1.50 per mile for each additional mile.

The service is available 24 hours a day, but reservations must be placed by 11 p.m. by calling 877-823-6933 (877-U-BEMYDD). For St. Patrick’s Day, advanced reservations are strongly suggested. For more information, visit www.bemydd.com.

— Sarah Ottney

Irish eyes turn to local festivities

Dressed in our greenest finery, Toledo Free Press Star fashion columnist Lauren O’Neill, Face of FOX Toledo Jocelyn Cruz and I hit the town for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl to find out what Toledo has to offer for the upcoming holiday.

Along the way, we met with fellow Toledoans as well as some visiting out-of-towners, including a Marine on leave from Camp Lejeune and a Cleveland-area bowling team in town for a tournament, all enjoying food, drinks and live music at local bars. We also hung out with members of The Steve Mullan Band, Kentucky Chrome and Toast & Jam.

With a name like O’Neill, you know Lauren is Irish, but you might be surprised to learn Cruz, of Puerto Rican heritage, is 10 percent Irish. Not that it matters —

everyone is Irish on March 17!

Below is a list of area St. Patrick’s Day parties, music, food and drink specials to point you to the location that best draws out your inner Irish. Slàinte!

— Sarah Ottney

Arnie’s

3332 W. Central Ave., (419) 517-6037

Open: 6 a.m.-2 a.m.

Food: Kegs and Eggs

Drinks: Ice luges, dollar power hour, 50-cent power hour

Music: Live bands and DJs

Leprechaun and magician

Dennis Kreuz, left, and Tommy Hutt cut loose with Jocelyn at The Bunker.

Richardson: Begin it now

I think I was away at Kent State when my dad sent me a copy of a quote by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe that has made it onto every refrigerator in every place I’ve lived since. That is a lot of refrigerators.

But the now creased and tattered piece of paper is a prized possession. It is the “Begin It Now” quote that I give all the credit for everything I’ve ever tried.

To paraphrase, it suggests that once you commit and begin to make moves toward creating something, avenues open and people materialize with just the right connection or advice to lead you perfectly to the next step.

I absolutely swear by this. I’ve seen it work too many times to not be completely convinced that what the Universe wants from us is to make something that is uniquely ours while we’re here, and for it to contribute to the betterment of the world around us. It wants it so badly that it will do whatever it can to aid in the process of creation. On a related note, it insists on hearing our music, but that’s for another day.

So indoctrinated am I that I can barely stop myself from practically forcing this concept on my friends and fellow creatives.

Luckily, they mostly know that pushiness is my way of showing love and they still let me hang around. I have two friends right now who I’ve set my sights on pretty squarely. Much to my delight, neither one of them is fighting me on it as much as I had anticipated. In true Toledo form, my initial admiration of each of their talents only led me to find out that they had several others. Talents that lend themselves to art and activism, no less.

You know her as Betty Floored, The Glass City Rollers’ most glamorous, lovable and brutal blocker and pivot. I know her as my friend Jessica Crossfield, who cracks me up and is an extremely talented and now accomplished seamstress/crafter/fashion creator. “Dresses by Betty” is a brand that Toledo will boast about in time. It is already supplying brides and their bridesmaids in Nova Scotia and beyond with custom designs due to online sales.

As soon as I get my way, its headquarters and retail boutique will be on Adams Street in Uptown Toledo. She’s beginning to bend. Keep an eye out for her storefront no later than mid-2012. (She will be mad at me for saying that.)

Hopefully much sooner than that, another very exciting development will take place in the way of adding to the action on Adams Street.

Recently, my friend (and now band mate in Ben Langlois and the Might of Band, another of his multi-talents) Alan Leizerman was forced to excuse himself from the stifling world of the corporate food business. Just like an activist, Alan was fighting for relationships with local business and quality organic ingredients as a chef who truly cared about his product.

This led to creative differences and Alan made a move in favor of integrity. When I heard this, I couldn’t help but think of the day I departed corporate victim advocacy land in honor of my professional conscience and went to the courthouse the very next day as an “Independent Advocate.”

So, naturally, I was geeked to find out that Alan didn’t let this snag stop him from gazing ahead in the direction of a Do-it-Himself catering/late night food vendor business on Adams Street. During a conversation at the Robinwood Concert House where Alan played music last week, we talked about food vendors’ licenses and Alan wondered aloud why no one had ever tried to be a night-time street food vendor before.

I could only respond with, “The scene hasn’t been there to support such an effort until just this very moment.” So, welcome to your new role in improving our corner of the world, Alan. I can tell you from experience that your contribution will enrich your existence and reward you in ways you never imagined. And let me thank you in advance for heeding Goethe’s advice that “Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” And to, “Begin it now.”

Rachel Richardson is an activist, musician, co-founder and co-director of Independent Advocates, and a product of Toledo, Ohio. E-mail her at star@toledofreepress.com.

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Rachel Richardson: Local artists show Toledo pride

Camaraderie is where it’s at! There is strength in numbers! United we stand! Divided, we can’t get squat done! The more the merrier! Kumba-freakin’-YA!

Perhaps you’ve heard that Toledo is the coolest and most revolutionary city in the Midwest? If not, you haven’t been hanging out Downtown with the world changers, which means you may not know that in some of the particularly happening spots, you will always find several people wearing Toledo gear (I’m wearing my Shine 419, “Portland doesn’t need you” shirt as I write this), drinking out of pint glasses emblazoned with logos of local nonprofits (designed by talented, long-time friends), or fantasizing about buying (better yet, actually buying) the local art on the walls.

We’re shouting it from the rooftops! Well, actually, from our Facebook pages … but still, this place has some serious spirit. And do you know why? Because it is very easy to get behind and show support for people and places that are trying to improve the state of things, and who are really good at it, and who are having a really good time doing it. Here are some examples. The Ottawa Tavern on Adams Street has live bands six out of seven nights a week for free. They also hold regular fundraising events for things like teachers trying to supply their classrooms or community members with outrageous medical bills. Wesley’s Bar and Grill, also on Adams Street, hosts the best weekly dance party you’ve ever seen and also hosts regular fundraisers for friendly politicians and nonprofits.

The Glass City Rollers are a team of athletic personalities who are easy to love, even if you don’t think you like sports. They also donate half of their 50/50 raffle winnings to local nonprofits at each of their home bouts. Old West End Records represents so much musical talent that I could write an entire column about the different combos it turns out to play each week. They also donated sound equipment and know-how to a memorial celebration of the life of Dr. Robert Brundage during the summer.

Toledo GROWs is creating community gardens and teaching urban populations about sustainability. The Center for Choice is providing women with reproductive choices and quality care. My organization, Independent Advocates, is working to change the community’s response to domestic violence. Some of my dearest friends are working on campaigns for Carol Contrada and Marcy Kaptur.

This is important work and we’re all running full speed ahead into our duties to leave this place better than we found it. It’s a big job, no doubt. But we’re leaning on each other and getting an awful lot done.

If you’re paying really close attention, you’ll notice something else. The staff at the Glass City Cafe is wearing Glass City Flamingos T-shirts (a very new softball team coached by none other than Star columnist and everyone’s favorite hippie, Stacy Jurich), and Independent Advocates’ staff are wearing Glass City Rollers T-shirts. I bet the next time you see local artist Anthony McCarty, he’ll be wearing a Devicious T-shirt (the one with the sunglasses seems to be his favorite).

Cross promotion does not begin to describe what is going on here. We are all so proud of each other and are so moved by each other’s work that we can’t help ourselves but to gush over and laud what everyone else has going on, which buoys the spirit that much more.

The hope that we are making our contemporaries proud has become a certain fuel that we run on. Productivity seems to be growing exponentially. It’s as if we were all born at the exact right time to do this very thing.

And of course we were.

So, what’s your cause? You have one. We all do. I know a woman who recently lost a dear friend to breast cancer. In the six months or so since her friend passed away, she has established a memorial fund and built and raced a team in her honor during this year’s Race for the Cure. She could not help herself but to answer a problem with something positive and powerful. It’s in the water in Toledo!

Together, we really are changing our corner of the world. We cannot help ourselves.

Rachel Richardson is an activist, musician and a product of Toledo. E-mail her at artcornertoledo@gmail.com.

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Sports

Glass City Roller girls ‘whip it’ in Toledo

Toledo’s roller derby team is set to compete against the Scream Puffs from the Fox City Foxz league in Green Bay in their first home bout 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at the SeaGate Convention Centre, said Michelle “Vod-Killah” Atkinson.

Vod-Killah has been a member of the team since late 2007.

Mark Moffat worked with the Detroit Derby Girls, while chairing the Old West End’s King Wamba carnival and parade. He said he started recruiting for the Toledo team soon after.

The journey to the first home bout has not been an easy one, Vod-Killah said. First, a core group had to build the business from the ground up.

Glass City Rollers photographed by Eric Eggly

“We’ve really pulled ourselves up from our bootstraps,” she said.

They are still facing their next challenge: Finding suitable practice space. The Swanton Coliseum Skating Center where they practice is too small and the floor is concrete, making skating much easier than sports-cork-floored competitions, Vod-Killah said.

Team members pay for everything themselves, so rental pricing is an issue, she said.

The players donned their four-wheel speed skates, some for the first time, in 2008. The team follows the guidelines of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), which states they can not be owned by a corporation, Vod-Killah said.

“We are skater-owned, skater-operated,” said Cheryl “No-Holds Barbie” Murphy. In addition to skating, members sit on committees. They market, recruit and raise funds, among other things.

Two nights a week, 23 women break out their best roller derby practice attire, fluorescent leggings and fishnets optional, to hone their skating skills and practice strategies picked up from other teams or the Internet.

For those introduced to roller derby through previews for Drew Barrymore’s movie “Whip It”—- shot in Detroit and featuring Vod- Killah as an extra — Vod-Killah explained the premise.

Each team has four blockers who form a pack and one jammer, who starts behind the pack. As they race around the rink, the pack tries to help their jammer break through, while preventing the other team’s player from passing.

“That’s the simple version,” Vod-Killah said. “There’s about 10 million other things that can happen out there.”

Vod-Killah was hooked to the sport after seeing a Columbus bout. For No-Holds Barbie, it was the Detroit Derby Girls.

Another challenge is picking derby names. No-Holds Barbie said there is a national roster of taken names and rules dictate there can be no duplicates.

“They can’t even be similar or you have to ask the other player for permission,” she said.

The new team is gaining popularity. They have so many potential members they have instituted a “fresh meat” program.

Alexis Mohr is “fresh meat,” she said. New recruits have to sit out for 90 days before making roster. During that time, they must attend 75 percent of practices and meetings or start the process over.

After watching three practices, and with proper equipment and insurance, recruits can practice with the team.

The Glass City Rollers are excited to host a team in Toledo.

“I wanna show Toledo we’re bringing in people from out of town, buying food and buying gas, and we’re doing this all on our own,” Vod-Killah said.

Rental for one night at the SeaGate Centre is about $3,000, so they are relying on ticket sales.

The first bout will highlight Wake up Youth, a charity founded by EleSondra DeRomano, a survivor of teen prostitution who goes out every night between midnight to 5 a.m. and helps girls on the streets. Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle will go to Wake up Youth.

There will be a costume contest for all ages, a disc jockey and candy for kids, Vod-Killah said. They will be collecting winter clothes for the girls DeRomano helps.

The bout versus the Scream Puffs is the first of five home bouts scheduled at the SeaGate Centre this season. Tickets are $11 and available from any derby girl and at all Anderson’s locations, Culture Clash, RamaLama Records, Shakin’ Street Records and Full Circle Salon . Children 12 and under are free.

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